Self-squeezing mop



Sept 3, 1946. P, M. JAcKsoN i 2,406,950

, sELF'-sQUEEzING Mor Filed oct. 4, 1944 Patented sept. 3, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE srilr-soitlliigzsrio Mor Pearl M. Jackson, Chicago, Ill. Application October 4, 1944, Serial No. 557,085

This invention relates particularly to the head structure of mops ofabsorbent material and to mechanism incorporated in the structure of the mop head whereby liquids can be squeezed from the mopping material without the necessity of bringing the hands of the operator into Contact with such material.

The main objects of this invention are to provide a simple, inexpensive and improved form of self-wringing moo; to provide a device of this kind having in addition to the usual handle an auxiliary handle by the manipulation of which the mop material may be eiiiciently squeezed; to provide a structure of this kind 'wherein the squeezing mechanism is held out of the way during normal mopping operations; to provide a mop structure of this kind wherein the movement 1 Clam.- (Cl. 15-119) of the squeezing member will gather up the absorbent body of mopping material into a compact mass for expressing liquid therefrom 4by a simple but powerful squeezing operation; and to provide a mop structure of this kind wherein the leverage of the squeezing mechanism may be readily adjusted. to vary the squeezing pressure or accommodate a difference in the thickness of mopping material, due to wear or substitution thereof. f

A specic embodiment of this invention is shown in the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a simple form of mop structure according to this invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the same as viewed from one end of the mop head with the presser member in its elevated or retracted position.

Fig, 3 is a similar elevation showing the cooperative relation of the` mop head and presser member in the mop-squeezing position.

Fig. 4 is a similar view with the lever arms of the presser member adjusted to a different position for accommodatingr a thicker mass of absorbent material.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional detail taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2 through the trunnion connection between the mop head and presser member.

Fig. 6 is a similar sectional detail taken on the line 6--6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged perspective view illus` trating the manner in which the trunnion stud is flattened in cross section to permit the shifting of the presser lever arms from one pivotal aperture to another to adjust the leverage or those arms.

Fig. 8 illustrates `the relation of the attened trunnion with respect to one of the pivot aperof depending strands sewed to a sheet 4 of cloth or the like which embraces the mop head I and is securely fastened by lacing 5.

A second block 6 approximating in size the block I is attached to the block I by means of a pair of flat lever arms 'I which are securely fastened to the ends of the block 6 and extend approximately at right-angles to the main plane of that block. The arms 1 are each provided with a pair of pivot apertures 8 and 9 spaced apart along the lever arm I and since the bracket members which embody the lever arms 'I are exactly alike, the pivot apertures 8 of the two levers will be in axial alinement, as will be apertures 9.

Trunnions are mounted on the opposite ends of the block I in axial alinement with each other for connection with the lever arms I and comprise studs I 0 whose sectional contour is that of a segment of a circle of a diameter to fit the pivot apertures 8 and 9 but flattened at opposite sides to reduce one diameter thereof to a width corresponding to a narrow slot I I which connects the apertures 8 and 9. The stud I 0 is provided with a central aperture I2 to receive the attaching screw I 3 and with prongs I4 which are driven into the body of block I to prevent the trunnion stud from rotating. Thus the flat surfaces of the studs at opposite ends of the head I will always remain in proper relation to permit of adjusting the trunnions I0 from one pivot aperture to another. These trunnionats are preferably disposed in planes approximately parallel to the plane of the bottom of the head I so that the adjustment of the leverage of the arms 1 can be effected only when the squeezing member 6 is in an intermediate position between its operation position, shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and its retracted position shown in Fig. 2. A washer I5 which is preferably integral with the stud I0, overlays the margins of the pivot apertures 8 and 9 and slot I I and coniines the lever arms to their proper relation to the studs I D.

The presser block 8 is provided with a short auxiliary handle I5 whereby it is swung on its pivotal connection with the head I and it is also provided with a spring clip I'I positioned for latching engagement with the handle 2 t0 hold the presser block 6 in its normal retracted position While the mop is in use. y

In operation when the presser block is swung from the position in which it is shown in Fig. 2 to the positions in which it is shown in Figs. 3 and 4, it comes into contact with the strands of the mop 3 and folds them against the head block l so that they may be eiectively squeezed while the hands of the operator are grasping the handles 2 and E, wherefor it is not necessary for the operator to bring his hands into contact with the absorbent material of the mop.

Preferably in a mop of this kind, the strands of material 3 which are at the right in Fig. 2 are made longer than those at the left side so that the mop material is effectively gathered up for pressure between the two heads as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. With the studs disposed as shown, the adjustment of the presser from one pivotal aXis to another, can be readily accomplished when the block 6 is at the midpoint of its arc of movement, by a simple movement in a radial direction.

Although but one specific embodiment is herein shown and described, it will be understood that details of the structure shown may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the following claim.

I claim:

A mop comprising a head member having a handle, a body of absorbent material dependingly attached to said head member, a presser member having a pressing face for squeezing the absorbent material against'l said head, a pair of longitudinally disposed and axially alined trunnions projecting from opposite ends of said head member, parallel lever arms rigidly attached to opposite ends of said presser member, being disposed transversely to the pressing face thereof and having spaced bearing apertures to rotatably engage said trunnions at selective distances from said pressing face, and a handle on said presser member, said trunnions having circular cross sectional contours correspondingly flattened at opposite sides in substantially parallel relation to said pressing face, and said lever arms each having a contracted slot connecting its said bearing apertures and proportioned to permit the passage of the respective trunnion from one bearing apertureto another only when said slot registers with the attened sides of said trunnions.

PEARL M. JACKSON. 

